Revelation 9:19

KJV

For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails [were] like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} their {G846} power {G1849} is {G1526}{G2076} in {G1722} their {G846} mouth {G4750}, and {G2532} in {G1722} their {G846} tails {G3769}: for {G1063} their {G846} tails {G3769} were like {G3664} unto serpents {G3789}, and had {G2192} heads {G2776}, and {G2532} with {G1722} them {G846} they do hurt {G91}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the power of the horses was in their mouths — and also in their tails, for their tails were like snakes with heads, and with them they could cause injury.

Berean Standard Bible

For the power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; indeed, their tails were like snakes, having heads with which to inflict harm.

American Standard Version

For the power of the horses is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails are like unto serpents, and have heads; and with them they hurt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 9:19 vividly describes the destructive capabilities of the demonic horsemen unleashed during the Sixth Trumpet judgment. This verse specifies that their power to inflict harm originates from two distinct sources: their mouths, from which fire, smoke, and brimstone issue (as detailed in the preceding verses), and their tails, which are likened to venomous serpents possessing heads, used to inflict further injury. The imagery underscores the multifaceted and terrifying nature of these supernatural agents of divine wrath, highlighting their comprehensive ability to cause suffering upon an unrepentant humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of the detailed description of the Sixth Trumpet judgment, found in [Revelation 9:13-21](/revelation/9-13-21 "Revelation 9:13-21 - The Sixth Trumpet Judgment"). Following the release of four angels bound at the great river Euphrates, an immense army of 200 million horsemen is unleashed. The preceding verses ([Revelation 9:17-18](/revelation/9-17-18 "Revelation 9:17-18 - Description of the Horsemen")) describe these horses with heads like lions, from whose mouths issue fire, smoke, and brimstone, killing a third of mankind. Verse 19 then elaborates on an additional, equally terrifying source of their destructive capability: their tails. This progression emphasizes the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the harm inflicted by these supernatural entities, building upon the initial description of their monstrous appearance and primary weapons. The verse serves to heighten the sense of dread and the supernatural horror of this particular judgment, distinguishing these horsemen from any conventional military force.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery employed in Revelation draws heavily from Old Testament prophetic literature and ancient Near Eastern mythology, which would have been familiar to John's original audience. The concept of monstrous creatures and hybrid beasts was common in apocalyptic visions (e.g., [Daniel 7](/daniel/7 "Daniel 7 - Daniel's Vision of Four Beasts")), symbolizing powerful empires or destructive forces. Serpents, in particular, held significant symbolic weight, often associated with deception, evil, and deadly venom, echoing the primordial serpent in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Humanity"). The idea of an army of immense size (200 million) would have been unfathomable in the ancient world, conveying an overwhelming and unstoppable force. The description of power emanating from both front (mouth) and back (tails) might also subtly allude to ancient military tactics where cavalry could attack from multiple directions, but here it is elevated to a supernatural, grotesque level, signifying a complete and inescapable assault beyond human capability.
* **Key Themes:** Revelation 9:19 contributes significantly to several major themes within the book of Revelation and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, underscoring the severity and unprecedented nature of God's wrath upon an unrepentant world. The graphic and terrifying imagery highlights the intensity of the coming wrath and the consequences of human rebellion against God, a theme consistently present from the opening of the seals through the trumpet judgments, as seen in passages like [Revelation 6:16-17](/revelation/6-16-17 "Revelation 6:16-17 - The Wrath of the Lamb"). Another prominent theme is **Demonic Power and Destruction**. The description of power emanating from both "mouth" and "tails" signifies a comprehensive, multi-pronged, and inescapable form of harm, illustrating the devastating capabilities of spiritual evil when permitted by divine decree. The "tails like unto serpents, and had heads" symbolizes a cunning, deadly, and insidious destructive force, reminiscent of ancient symbols of evil and deception, and foreshadowing the ultimate defeat of the "ancient serpent" in [Revelation 20:2](/revelation/20-2 "Revelation 20:2 - The Binding of Satan"). Finally, the verse exemplifies the pervasive use of **Symbolic Imagery** in Revelation. The 'mouth' likely refers to direct, overt, and destructive assaults (like the fire, smoke, and brimstone previously mentioned), while the 'tails' with heads like serpents suggest a secondary, insidious, or unexpected means of attack, perhaps through deception, venomous influence, or a more subtle, yet equally lethal, form of injury. This dual source of power reinforces the complete and inescapable nature of the judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Power (Greek, _exousía'_):** From G1849, this word denotes "privilege, i.e. (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence." In the context of Revelation 9:19, _exousía_ signifies the destructive capability and influence these entities possess. It implies that their ability to cause harm is not inherent but is a delegated authority, permitted by God as part of His unfolding judgments. This highlights divine sovereignty even over the forces of destruction.
* **Tails (Greek, _ourá'_):** From G3769, this simply means "a tail." However, in this apocalyptic context, the mundane meaning is dramatically transformed. The tails are not merely appendages but are themselves instruments of destruction, possessing serpentine qualities and heads. This unusual description emphasizes the grotesque, unnatural, and supernaturally empowered nature of these creatures, making every part of them a weapon.
* **Serpents (Greek, _óphis'_):** From G3789, this word refers to "a snake, figuratively, (as a type of sly cunning) an artful malicious person, especially Satan." The comparison of the tails to serpents immediately invokes biblical associations with evil, deception, and deadly venom. This imagery connects the destructive actions of these horsemen to the archetypal enemy, Satan, who is often called "that old serpent" in Revelation, reinforcing the spiritual dimension of the judgment and the malevolent nature of the forces at work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For their power is in their mouth,"**: This clause reiterates and emphasizes a primary source of the horsemen's destructive capability, already established in [Revelation 9:17-18](/revelation/9-17-18 "Revelation 9:17-18 - The Horsemen's Destructive Power"). The "mouth" is the origin of the fire, smoke, and brimstone that issue forth, causing widespread death. The use of "power" (exousia) here indicates that this destructive capacity is not merely an incidental feature but a core aspect of their delegated authority to inflict harm.
* **"and in their tails:"**: This introduces a second, equally significant, and perhaps more insidious, source of their destructive ability. The tails are not passive but active instruments of harm, indicating a comprehensive and inescapable assault. This dual source of power underscores the terrifying and supernatural nature of these entities, as they can attack from multiple, unexpected directions.
* **"for their tails [were] like unto serpents,"**: This simile clarifies the nature of the "tails." They are not ordinary tails but possess characteristics resembling serpents. This comparison immediately evokes biblical symbolism of cunning, deception, and deadly venom, linking the destructive actions of these creatures to the pervasive influence of evil and the ancient adversary. The serpentine quality suggests a more insidious, perhaps less overt, but equally lethal, form of injury.
* **"and had heads,"**: This detail further intensifies the grotesque and unnatural imagery. The tails are not merely serpent-like in form but possess actual heads, implying that each tail functions as an independent, intelligent, and dangerous entity. This adds to the horror and the multi-faceted nature of their attack, suggesting that even their secondary means of assault are capable of targeted and deliberate harm.
* **"and with them they do hurt."**: This final clause explicitly states the purpose and outcome of the power in their tails. The Greek word for "hurt" (adikéō) means to do wrong, to injure, or to act unjustly. It signifies the pain, suffering, and moral offense inflicted upon humanity. This confirms that the tails, with their serpentine heads, are active instruments of injury, contributing directly to the overall devastation caused by this demonic army.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 9:19 is rich in **Symbolism**, which is characteristic of apocalyptic literature. The "mouth" represents overt, direct destruction, while the "tails like unto serpents, and had heads" symbolize insidious, deceptive, and multi-faceted harm. The serpent imagery itself is deeply symbolic, recalling the **Archetypal Evil** of Satan in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Serpent's Deception"). The description also employs **Zoomorphism** and **Chimerism**, blending animal features (horses with lion heads, serpent tails with heads) to create monstrous, supernatural beings that defy natural order, emphasizing their otherworldly and terrifying nature. This grotesque imagery serves as a form of **Hyperbole** and **Apocalyptic Imagery**, exaggerating the destructive power to convey the intensity and unprecedented nature of God's judgment. The dual source of power (mouth and tails) also creates a sense of **Total Envelopment** or comprehensive assault, implying that no aspect of these creatures is benign, and all parts are instruments of divine wrath.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 9:19, with its vivid and unsettling imagery, powerfully underscores the reality of divine judgment and the devastating consequences of human unrepentance. It portrays a world under the direct, severe hand of God, where even supernatural forces are marshaled as instruments of His righteous wrath. The description of power emanating from both the mouth and the tails, particularly the serpentine nature of the tails with heads, carries profound theological weight. It not only highlights the physical destruction but also alludes to the spiritual dimension of evil, recalling the ancient serpent's role in deception and death. This passage serves as a stark reminder that God is sovereign, even over the forces of chaos and destruction, and that His ultimate purpose is to bring about justice and call humanity to repentance before the final consummation of His kingdom.

* [Genesis 3:1-15](/genesis/3-1-15 "Genesis 3:1-15 - The Fall and the Curse") - The serpent's deception and the curse, establishing the archetypal enemy.
* [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare") - The reality of spiritual warfare against "principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
* [Revelation 12:9](/revelation/12-9 "Revelation 12:9 - Satan, the Ancient Serpent") - Identifies Satan as "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The terrifying imagery of Revelation 9:19, while challenging to interpret, serves as a profound call to spiritual vigilance and a sober reflection on the nature of divine judgment. It reminds us that there are forces of spiritual evil at work in the world, capable of inflicting deep and multifaceted harm, whether through overt destruction or insidious deception. For believers, this passage should not incite fear, but rather a renewed sense of urgency in living a life devoted to Christ and standing firm in His truth. It underscores the importance of being spiritually discerning, recognizing that evil can manifest in unexpected ways, even through seemingly secondary means. Ultimately, the severity of these judgments in Revelation is intended to awaken humanity to its need for repentance and to turn to God. For those who have placed their faith in Christ, this passage reinforces the security of their salvation, knowing that they are delivered from the wrath to come, and encourages them to share the hope of the Gospel with a world in need of redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the dual source of power (mouth and tails) in Revelation 9:19 challenge your understanding of spiritual warfare and the ways evil can operate?**
* **In what ways might the "serpent-like" nature of the tails with heads symbolize insidious forms of harm or deception in our contemporary world?**
* **How does the sovereignty of God over even these destructive forces (as implied by "delegated power") bring comfort or challenge to your faith?**
* **What is the ultimate purpose of such terrifying judgment descriptions in Scripture, and how should they motivate believers today?**

### FAQ

**Are the creatures described in Revelation 9:19 literal or symbolic?**

Answer: The interpretation of the creatures in Revelation 9:19, like much of apocalyptic literature, is debated among scholars. Some interpret them literally as actual monstrous beings that will appear during the end times, emphasizing the concrete nature of God's judgments. Others view them primarily as symbolic representations of destructive forces, whether human armies empowered by demonic influence, or spiritual powers themselves, which inflict harm through various means (e.g., war, deception, false ideologies). Given the highly symbolic nature of Revelation as a whole, and the use of chimerical imagery that defies natural biology (horses with lion heads, tails with serpent heads), a symbolic interpretation is often favored. Regardless of whether they are literal or symbolic, the passage conveys the reality of powerful, destructive forces unleashed as part of divine judgment, emphasizing their terrifying nature and the comprehensive harm they inflict.

**How does the imagery of "tails like unto serpents, and had heads" connect to other biblical themes?**

Answer: This imagery carries significant biblical resonance. The "serpent" is a potent symbol throughout Scripture, most notably in [Genesis 3:1](/genesis/3-1 "Genesis 3:1 - The Serpent in Eden"), where the serpent deceives Eve and brings sin into the world. This primordial serpent is later identified as Satan himself in [Revelation 12:9](/revelation/12-9 "Revelation 12:9 - Satan, the Ancient Serpent"). Therefore, the "tails like unto serpents, and had heads" in Revelation 9:19 strongly connects the destructive actions of these demonic horsemen to the archetypal evil of Satan. It suggests that their methods of inflicting "hurt" are not just brute force but also involve cunning, deception, and a venomous, insidious quality, reflecting the very nature of the enemy of God and humanity. This connection underscores the spiritual dimension of the judgment and the malevolent intelligence behind the destruction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Revelation 9:19 describes terrifying instruments of divine judgment, its Christ-centered fulfillment is found not in the direct actions of these destructive creatures, but in how Christ ultimately triumphs over all such forces and offers salvation from the wrath they represent. The "power" (exousia) unleashed by these entities, though delegated for judgment, is ultimately subservient to the supreme authority of Christ, who holds "the keys of hell and of death" ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ's Authority")). The serpentine imagery of the tails, reminiscent of the ancient serpent, points to the very adversary whose head was promised to be crushed by the seed of the woman in [Genesis 3:15](/genesis/3-15 "Genesis 3:15 - The Protoevangelium"). Jesus, the true Seed, definitively triumphed over Satan and the powers of darkness through His death and resurrection, disarming them and making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Therefore, while these judgments are poured out on an unrepentant world, believers in Christ are spared from this wrath, having been justified by His blood and reconciled to God ([Romans 5:9-10](/romans/5-9-10 "Romans 5:9-10 - Justification and Reconciliation")). Christ is not only the Lamb who was slain to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")) but also the conquering King who will ultimately judge all evil and establish His eternal reign, ensuring that no power, whether from mouth or tail, can ultimately harm those who are found in Him ([Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - God's Unfailing Love")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 9:15

The ancient and honourable, he [is] the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he [is] the tail.

Revelation 9:10

And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power [was] to hurt men five months.

Ephesians 4:14

That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;